DOUBTS about Iain Duncan Smith's future are "paralysing" the party and a decision has to be taken this week, Tory MPs say.

One of Mr Duncan Smith's friends, shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin, today (Monday) admitted that the matter was now out of the leader's hands.

But he issued a dramatic appeal to other Tory MPs.

"It's time for my colleagues to face up to their responsibilities - if there is a vote of confidence I will vote for Iain," said Mr Jenkin.

The next three days will be crucial to Mr Duncan Smith's future. If 25 Tory MPs demand a vote of confidence his fate could be sealed.

Mr Jenkin accused a small band of "malcontents" of trying to destabilise his leadership and spreading alarm and despondency among colleagues.

"He's absolutely determined to go through with his duty to the party and the country unless they put their names in and start a process to remove him," he said.

"Then I think the situation would change.

"If it doesn't arise in the next few days that's a decision by the parliamentary party to back Mr Duncan Smith and he will carry on as leader of the Conservative Party and lead the party into the next General Election."

But two Tory MPs - former whip Derek Conway and Reigate MP Crispin Blunt - have already broken cover to reveal that they have written to the chairman of the 1922 committee, Sir Michael Spicer, urging a vote of confidence.

If they are joined by 23 others Sir Michael would then probably inform Mr Duncan Smith in private, leaving it up to him whether to quit or to face a vote.

Another friend of Mr Duncan Smith, the West Midlands MP Michael Fabricant, said today that the issue was paralysing the party and he suspected people would say enough is enough, unfair as it would be to Mr Duncan Smith.

"It can't be maintained indefinitely because it's paralysing the party," he said. "We have an obligation to provide an opposition and we're not being able to do that."

Over the weekend, Mr Duncan Smith sought to call the bluff of his critics.

He insisted he would not stand down as leader even if 25 Tory MPs called for a vote. "This party is in the process of being frightened and bullied by a number of people whose personal ambition and personal anger and bitterness is trying to push the party to the edge of a divisive leadership process which would rip it apart," said Mr Duncan Smith.

Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, was today delivering his letter calling for a vote to Sir Michael and he said: " I believe Mr Duncan Smith is not up to it.

"The British public isn't buying it and we must look at the situation."